Indicator for control means



Jan. 23, 1945. GRANT, JR 2,367,674

INDICATOR FOR CONTROL MEANS Filed Nov. 21, 1 942 ATTO EY Patented Jan. 23, 1945 2,367,674 INDICATOR FOR CONTROL MEANS Harry C. Grant, .lr., New York, N.

Development to Specialties Y., assignor Corporation,

Bloomfleld, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application November 21, 1942, Serial No. 466,521

24 Claims.

The present invention relates to indicators for control means and the like, and more particularly to indicators for valve controlling means adapted to eiTect the release of a fluid medium under pressure.

Heretofore, valve controlling devices have been utilized which comprise a member, such as a trigger or the like, which is readily manipulated by a single finger, and valve opening means operated by the trigger to efiect the release of a fluid medium under pressure stored in a cylinder or other suitable container. For example, in

United States Patent Reissue No. 22,045, a device of this type is illustrated as used in connection with a handle or grip for a portable cylinder containing liquid carbon dioxide adapted to be used as a fire extinguishing medium.

The difiiculty with the devices of the foregoing type, which have been utilized heretofore, is that after the trigger is operated it returns to its normal preoperated position and fails to give any indication whether or not it has been operated. While it has been customary to provide a breakable seal wire or a retractable pin for preventing operation of the trigger without breaking the wire or removing the pin, the mere breakage of the wire or removal of the pin has not been regarded as a positive indication of previous operation of the trigger, because very likely breakage of the wire or removal of the pin might have been accidental and without subsequent operation of the trigger.

Fire extinguishers, which had been discharged, frequently were put back in their storage space or remounted on the r supporting brackets. Due to lack of diligent inspection, such empty extinguishers were not detected. When a subsequent contingency arose which required their use. the extinguishers were found empty and were useless to extinguish the fire. As a result, small blazes, which could have been eiiectively checked, often developed into larger fires which caused considerable property damage and personal in- Jury.

The present invention aims to provide an improved device of the foregoing character which gives a clearly visible and legible indication that the trigger has been operated to discharge all or at least a portion of the fire extnguishing medium, whereby guesswork and careless errors in determining whether or not the extinguisher should be tested for refilling are eliminated. 7

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved controlling means provided with an indicator which is positive and reliable in operation.

Another object is to provide a controlling member of the trigger type with lndicia which serves as a warning that the member has been operated.

Another object is to provide a valve controlling trigger having indicia thereon which is concealed when the trigger is in non-operated or normal position and which is exposed after the trigger has been operated.

Another object is to provide simple, inexpensive means for maintaining thetrigger in its normal or non-operated position and for urging the trigger into an indicatingposition after operation thereof. ,7

Another object is to provide an indicator for valve controlling means and the like which can be readily reset by authorized persons.

Another object is to provide an improved valve for a fire extinguisher and the like having indicating means associated with its valve controlling means.

Another object is to accomplish the foregoing without increasing the cost of the controlling means or complicating its assembly.

Another object is to accomplish the foregoing with means comprising a minimum number of parts adapted to be formed by simple opera- A further object consists in the combination of elements and arrangement of parts, whereby the foregoing objects may be accomplished.

Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described, or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice. I

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and is shown in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of the specification, wherein: I

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a portable fire extinguisher provided with valve controlling means in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged partial sectional view of the valve and its controlling means, illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, illustrating the valve control means a in their indicating position.

Referring to the drawing, and more particularly to Figure 1, there is shown a portable fire extinguisher comprising a container or cylinder l adapted to contain liquefled carbon dioxide, a dischargehead II at the upper end of the container, a discharge shield or horn l2 operatively connected to the head for forming carbon dioxide snow and directing the same to a fire, and a handgrip l4 secured about the discharge head and provided with discharge controlling means as described hereinafter.

As shown in Figure 2, the discharge head comprises a valve body secured to the outlet of the container, a valve chamber IS in the body, an inlet passage I6 leading from the container to the valve chamber, and an outlet passage |'I leading from the chamber to the discharge horn. The outlet passage is providedwith an annular valve seat l9 at the chamber end thereof for receiving a valve member 20 adapted to be seated thereon by the pressure of the carbon dioxide in the container and, in addition, if desired, by a spring 2 I. The valve member 20 is adapted to be unseated to permit the flow of carbon dioxide past the valve seat and through the outlet passage to the discharge horn by means of a rod or pin 22 which is slidably mounted in the valve body and extends through a U-sectioned packing or gasket 24 and a bushing 25 for retaining the packing. The pin or rod 22 is adapted to be moved inwardly to unseat the valve member by suitable valve operating and controlling means described hereinafter.

The handgrip |4 comprises a pair of complementary, longitudinally split casing members 23 providing a manually engageable pistol grip having a casing therein, and a housing for enclosing the discharge head I The casing members are adapted to' be secured to each other by suitable screws, bolts or studs 26 extending transversely therethrough, and are adapted to be secured to the discharge head H by pins or studs 21 extending through or into the head which have their free ends seated in apertures (not shown) at the interior of the casing members.

The valve operating and controlling means, about to be described, comprise a manually operable member. such as a trigger 30 or the like, which is pivotally mounted for rotation on a pin 3| su ported between the casing members. The trigger comprises an uoner arm or finger 32 housed between the casing members havinga cam surface 34 for engaging the valve operating pin or rod 22. and a lower arm or finger 35 extending outwardly from the casing members throu h a slot or opening 36 formed therein. The lower arm 35 is ad anted to be engaged manually and moved inwardly into the ca ing in the handgrip, whereupon the up er arm 32 is moved into engagement with the rod 22 to move the rod inwardly to unseat the valve member 20.

In accordance with the invention. the lower arm 35 is provi ed with a portion 40 which is normall concealed in the handgrip and is not visible from the exterior while the trigger is in its normal or non-o erated position, as shown in Figure 1. When the trigger has been operated. the ortion 40 extends out of the hand rip and is ex osed to give a visible indication that the trigger has been o erated to partially or wholly dischar e the carbon dioxide as shown in Figure 3. The portion 40 may be provided with suitable indicia such as the,word weigh or may be of a cons icuous color. to give notice that some or allot the carbon dioxi e has been discharged from the container and that the container should be weighed to determine whether or not recharging of the container is required.

The foregoing indicating features of the trigger are accomplished by providing means for maintaining the trigger in its normal or nonoperated position and means for urging the trigger into its indicating position after the trigger has been operated. These means may comprise a latching arrangement, such as a leaf spring or spring arm 4| having one end mounted on one of the pins 'or studs 26, and having its free end engaging under a latching projection 42 formed on the upper end of the upper arm 32 of the trigger. The trigger is urged outwardly from the casing by a leaf spring 44 or the like, having one end mounted on the aforementioned pin or stud 26 and having its free end seated in a notch or recess 45 formed in the lower arm 35 of the trigger just below the pivot pin 3|. If desired, any other suitable form of spring or resilient means may be utilized, instead of the spring 44, for urging the trigger outwardly.

If desired, and as illustrated herein, the springs 4| and 44 may comprise a single member bent upon itself in V-shaped form and provided with an annular opening for receiving the pin 28. The springs 4| and 44 are so formed that they tend to spread away from each other.

The operation of the trigger indicating means is more particularly illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. In Figure 2, the trigger is shown in normal or non-operated position. The spring 44 urges the trigger outwardly of the handgrip, but the spring or latching means 4| engages the projection 42 and limits the distance the trigger can extend outwardly, whereby the indicating portion 40 is concealed. When the trigger is pressed inwardly and rotated or rocked about its pivot into its operating position, the upper arm 32 moves the rod 22 and effects operation of the valve to permit discharge of the carbon dioxide from the container. At the same time, the projection 42 of the arm 32 is moved away from the free end of the spring 4| which thereby releases the projection and then snaps upwardly into the position shown in Figure 3.

After the trigger has been operated and released, the parts assume the positions shown in Figure 3. By reason of the fact that the spring 4| and the projection are disengaged, outward movement of the trigger is not restricted, and the spring 44 is effective to urge the trigger outwardly so that the indicating portion 40 is clearly displayed. It will then be apparent that the trigger has been operated or tampered with to either partially or fully discharge the contents of the container.

Suitable means preferably are provided for resetting the latching spring 4|. For example, an aperture 41 may be provided in the casing members above and adjacent the free end of the spring 4| for inserting a suitable tool adapted to move the spring downwardly to re-engage the projection 42 when the trigger is pulled inwardly towards its normal position.

Instead of the aperture 41, means for preventing unauthorized resetting of the trigger may be provided. For example, one of the casing members 23 may be provided with a cylindrical-member 49 rotatably retained therein which is located adjacent the spring 4| when it is in its upper or released position, as shown in Figure 3. The member 49 is provided with an irregularly shaped key slot 50 for inserting a key (not shown) corresponding to the slot, which has a substantially said casing and adapted to be released by the operation of said member, and means for urging fiat face adapted to be disposed just over the spring 4i. Upon rotating the key 90 the face thereof is effective to move the spring 4| downwardly, whereby the free-end of the spring can r.e engage the projection 42. With the foregoing described arrangement, only persons having the proper key can reset the trigger.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the present invention provides an improved valve controlling device having indicator means which are positive and reliable in operation. The dangers of neglecting to weigh and refill fire extinguishers which have been partly or wholly discharged, and to weigh extinguishers which have been tampered with are thus greatly minimized or eliminated. The indicator means can be economically manufactured and assembled and do not materially increase the cost of the valves with which they are used. The parts of the indicator means are rugged in construction and can readily Withstand any rough usage to which they may be subjected.

While the present invention has been described in connection with a portable fire extinguisher by way of example, it will be understood that the indicating features of the valve controlling means may be applied to valves associated with or installed in stationary systems or containers for discharging fluid media under pressure, adapted to be used for fire extinguishing, flotation, pressure operation or other purposes.

As various changes may be made in the form. construction and arrangement of the parts herein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to'be interpreted as illustrative and not in any limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

I claim:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a trigger member, means for maintaining said member in a normal position adapted to be released by the operation of said member,

and means for urging said member into an indieating position render-ed operable by and after said first means has been released.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a trigger member, spring means for maintaining said member in a normal position adapted to be released by the operation of said member, and spring means for urging. said member into an indicating position after said first spring means has been released.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of a trigger member having a projection thereon, a spring arm having one end thereof engaging said projection to maintain said trigger member in a normal position and adapted I to release said projection upon operation of said trigger member, and a spring member for urging said trigger member into an indicating position after said spring arm has released said projection.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination of a casing, a manually operable control member on said casing having indicatin means thereon adapted to be concealed in said casing, means for maintaining said member in a normal position with said indicating means in said member into an indicating position with said indicating means exposed after said first means has been released.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination of a casing, a trigger member mounted on said casing and having an indicating portion adapted to extend into said casing, spring means for maintaining said member in a position so that said indicating portion extends into said casing and is concealed therein, said spring means being adapted to be released by the operation of said member, and spring means for urging said member into a position so that said indicating portion is visible after said first spring means has beenreleased.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination of a casing; a trigger member mounted on said casing, having a projection and an indicating portion adapted to extend into said casing; a spring arm in said casing having one end thereof engaging said projection to maintain said trigger member in a normal position with said indicating portion extending into and concealed in said casing, said spring arm being adapted to release said projection upon operation of said trigger member; and a spring member for urging said trigger into an indicating position with said indicating portion being exposed and visible after said projection has been released.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination of a trigger member, means for urging said trigger member into an indicating position, and latching means for maintaining said trigger member in a non-indicating position, said latching means being adapted to be released upon operation of said trigger member, whereby said trigger member is moved into indicating position' after operation thereof.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination of a casing, a trigger member mounted on said casing and having an indicating portion adapted to be concealed in said casing, means for urging said trigger member into a position whereby said indicating portion is exposed, and latching means for maintaining said trigger member in a position whereby said indicating portion is concealed, said latching means being adapted to be released upon operation of said trigger member, whereby said indicating portion is exposed after operation of said trigger member.

' 9. In a device of the class described, the combination of a valve, a trigger member for eiiecting operation of said valve, means for urging said trigger member into an indicating position, and latching means for maintaining said trigger member in a non-indicating position, said latching means being adapted to be released upon operation of said trigger member, whereby said trigger member is moved into indicating position to indicate that said valve has been operated.

10. In a device of the class described, the combination of a handgrip providing a casing; a valve in sa d casing; a trigger for efiecting operation of said valve, said trigger being mounted on said casing and having an indicating portion adapted to extend into said casing; means in said casing for urging said trigger member into an indicating position; and latching means in said casing for maintaining said trigger member in a non-indicating position, said latching means being adapted to be released upon operation of said trigger member, whereby said trigger member is moved into indicating position to indicate that said valve has been operated.

11. In a device the class described, the combination of a container for a fiuid medium under pressure, a valve for releasing the medium, a trigger for effecting operation of said valve, means for urging said trigger into an indicating position, and latching means for maintaining said trigger in a non-indicating position, said latching means being adapted to be released upon operation of said trigger, whereby said trigger is moved into indicating position to indicate that at least a portion of the medium has been released from said container.

12. In a fire extinguisher, the combination of a container for liquid carbon dioxide, a valve on said container for releasing the carbon dioxide, a handgrip on said valve, a trigger on said handgrip for effecting operation of said valve, means in said handgrip for urging said trigger into an indicating position, and latching means in said handgrip for maintaining said trigger in a nonindicating position, said latching means being released upon operation of said trigger, whereby said trigger is moved into indicating position to indicate that operation of said valve has been effected and that at least a portion of the carbon dioxide has been released from said container.

13. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pivotally mounted trigger member having an arm at one side of its pivot and having a second arm at substantially the opposite side of its pivot, spring means associated with said first arm for effecting rotation of said trigger member about its pivot in one direction, and latching means engaging said second arm for limiting the rotation of said trigger member in said direction.

14. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pivotally mounted trigger member having an arm at one side of its pivot provided with a recess and having a second arm at substantially the opposite side of its pivot provided with aprojection, resilient means associated with and extending into the recess of said first arm for effecting rotation of said trigger member about its pivot in one direction, and latching means engaging said projection of said second arm for limiting the rotation of said trigger member in said direction, said latching means being adapted to release said projection upon rotation, of said trigger member in its opposite direction, whereby said resilient means are adapted to rotate said trigger member a greater distance in said first direction. 7

15. In a device of the class described, the combination of a casing having a slot; a trigger pivotally mounted on said casing having a, manually engageable arm at one side of its pivot provided with an indicating portion adapted to extend into the slot of said casing, and having a second arm at substantially the opposite side of its pivot; spring means associated with said first arm for efiecting, rotation of said trigger in a direction to move said indicating portion out of said casing; and latching means engaging said second arm to normally maintain said trigger in a position with said indicating portion thereof extending into and concealed in said casing, said latching means being adapted to release said second arm upon rotation of said trigger toward the slot in the casing.

16. In a device of the class described, the combination of a casing having a slot; a trigger its pivot provided with a projection; spring means associated with said first arm for effecting rotation of said trigger in a direction to move said indicating portion out of said casing; and latching means engaging said projection of said second arm to normally maintain said trigger in a 'position with said indcating portion thereof extending into and concealed in said casing, said latching means being adapted to release said projection upon rotation of said trigger toward the slot of said casing.

17. In a device of the class described, the combination of a casing having a slot; a trigger pivotally mounted on said casing having a manually engageable arm at one side of its pivot provided with an indicating portion adapted to extend into the slot of said casing, and having a second arm at substantially the opposite side of its pivot provided with a projection; spring means associated with said first arm for effecting rotation of said trigger in a direction to move said indicating portion out of said casing; latching means engaging said projection of said second arm to normally maintain said trigger in a position with said indicating portion thereof extending into and concealed in said casing, said latching means being adapted to release said projection upon rotation of said trigger toward the slot of said casing; and means for resetting said latching means.

18. In a device of the class described, the combination of a trigger member, means for maintaining said member in a normal position adapted to be released by the operation of said member, means associated with and operable by said trigger member for urging said member into an indicating position after said first means has been released, and means" for resetting said first means.

19. In a device of the class described, the combination of a casing; a trigger member mounted on said casing, having a projection and an indicating portion adapted to extend into said casing; a spring arm in said casing having one end thereof engaging said projection to maintain said trigger member in a normal position with said indicating portion extending into' and concealed in said casing, said spring arm being adapted to release said projection upon operation of said trigger member; a spring member for urging said trigger into an indicatingposition with said indicating portion being exposed and visible after said projection has been released; and means on sad casing for resetting said spring arm.

20. In a device of the class described, the combination of a trigger member, means for urging said trigger member into an indicating position, latching means for maintaining said trigger member in a non-indicating position, said latching means being adapted to be released upon operation of said trigger member, whereby said trigger member is moved into indicating position after operation thereof, and means for resetting said latching means.

21. In a device of the class described the combination of a handgrip, a trigger carried by said handgrip and movable relative thereto, indicating means normally concealed within said hand grip, and means associated with said trigger to expose said indicating means.

22. In a device of the class described the combination of a casing, a valve therein, a trigger pivotally mounted in said casing for operating said valve, indicating means normally concealed within said casing, and means associated with said trigger to expose said indicating means and being operable only after said trigger has actu ated said valve.

23. In a device of the class described the combination of a valve, a pivotally mounted trigger for effecting operation of said valve upon movement about its pivot, indicating means normally in a non-indicating position, and means. associated with said trigger and actuated thereby for eifecting' subsequent operation of said indicating means upon said trigger being initially moved about its pivot to operate said valve.

'24. In a device of the character described, the combination of a casing member having a trigger member pivoted thereto; indicating means carried by one of said members and normally concealed by the other member when said trigger member is in normal position; and means for maintaining said trigger member in normal posi- 7 tion and adapted to be released by the operation of said trigger member for urging said trigger member into a position for exposing said indicating means.

HARRY C. GRANT, JR. 

